Keeping kids cool through the night

Some top tips to help keep your little ones cool during hotter weather

While it may be a rare occasion in the UK; it's important to know how to keep your little ones cool during the night in times of a heatwave...

With that in mind (and with most of us not having the luxury of air-con), here are a few tips to help get your family through the heatwave…

Keep it cool

A cool (ish) bath before bedtime can really help to soothe and cool little ones down after a hot day. Just as we love a refreshing shower, it will help them feel calm and comfortable and ready for sleep.

Bedroom or Nursery

Keeping your child’s bedroom cool can be a real challenge — especially if the sun shines in on it through the afternoon and into evening. By bedtime it can feel incredibly warm and during a heatwave, pretty intolerable. Installing a thermal blackout blind or curtains can really help if you keep it down (or them closed) throughout the day. Not only will the darkened room help your little one sleep, specialist blackout lining can help keep rooms cooler in the blazing sun – as well as help retain heat in winter.

If it still feels too stuffy to sleep even with windows open, you could try an electric fan to move the air around the room – although it might not feel too beneficial given that the air is still hot. One genius thing you can do is lay frozen water bottles or bags of ice in front of the fan to cool the air.

Another tip is to hang cold wet towels around the room and even the windows as the evaporating water will help the air to cool. Clever, hey?

Bedding and Pyjamas

Less is definitely more when it comes to bedding and sleepwear during a hot weather. Choose cotton sheets wherever possible as other fabrics and duvets my retain heat or make your little one feel too warm and sticky.

In heatwave conditions with a room temperature over 25 degrees, it’s also a good idea to let children go to bed in loose cotton PJs, a cool cotton vest and underwear – or, if it’s really hot, nothing at all!

Temperature Check

Remember, though, to check on little ones regularly and be aware that the temperature may drop through the night -- so you may have to revaluate what they’re wearing and change if necessary.

Dehydration Beware – a few tricks

In warm weather, it is important keep children to keep well hydrated throughout the day.

Drinking water is an obvious must, but did you know milk is also one of the best choices for keeping hydrated?

Another trick to ensure they are getting enough water is offer ice-lollies, or even allow juice, when you might ordinarily say no. Fresh fruit and salad also counts towards your water intake — so another great reason to enjoy nature’s candy.

At night time, it’s a good idea to always leave a sippy cup of water next to the bed so little ones can cool down and rehydrate when they need to.

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